Crackpot theory

Main article: Pseudoscience

A crackpot theory is a mocking or insulting name for a claimed social, scientific or academic theory that is likely or almost certain to be wrong because of apparent cognitive errors. The theory's proponent is perceived as being eccentric or delusional, often with grandiose traits, and may be considered an extreme form of crank. Crackpots are said to be subjectively stranger and less scientifically minded than cranks, though there is overlap in their interests. They are unlikely to be highly educated like mainstream scientists, or to have proper academic qualifications.

Meaning

Crackpot theories may be a form of pseudoscience, which may sometimes also be called parascience or metascience. Such theories often appear in physics or mathematics, claiming to solve deep fundamental problems that have perplexed all earlier investigators. These problems like squaring the circle, a form of pseudomathematics, are often easy to state, but may be considered unsolvable by mainstream scientists. The proposed explanations can not be understood by others however, often because of the author's use of highly personal symbols or metaphors. Their theories may also be incomplete, or they may appear to be riddled with errors.

Crackpot theories also exist in the fields of engineering and in medicine (especially nutrition). Other crackpot theories propose non-mainstream interpretations of history, such as conspiracy theories. Many unconventional interpretations of religious texts may also be considered crackpot theories.

Prevalence

Most crackpot theories are obscure and are only believed by the persons who invented them, though some do attract followers on social media.

Crackpot theories may be identified by using the crackpot index, which lists various unconventional claims and rhetorical tools that are said to cast doubt on the author's credibility.

External links

• John Baez "The Crackpot Index": http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/crackpot.html